QX3 Time-Lapse Movie Gallery

Ellagic Acid

Ellagic acid is a bicyclic coumarin derivative that is a naturally occurring phytochemical proven effective in arresting mitosis in some carcinomas. Strawberries and other fruits are rich sources of ellagic acid. Many plants produce ellagic acid in a complex with glucose that forms a family of chemicals known as ellagitannins. These biochemicals are water-soluble and easily absorbed in the diet. When recrystallized from the melt, ellagic acid will slowly crystallize, forming beautiful sheets of dendritic needle-like crystals. The time-lapse movie was made using a modified version of the Intel Play QX3 microscope equipped for polarized light illumination with a full-wave (first order) retardation plate.